College News

On Thursday, December 8, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter connected science faculty from St. John Fisher College and Nazareth College with the officials from the National Institute of Health in an effort to bring more federal grants to area colleges.

Slaughter hosted a webinar to acquaint health science faculty at both Nazareth and St. John Fisher Colleges with provisions of the National Institute of Health’s Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Grant Program. The program, designed to encourage faculty research at smaller colleges and universities, provides faculty with funding for up to three years to pursue health science related research.

“The research being undertaken at Nazareth and Fisher is adding to the body of knowledge vital to confronting the public health challenges of the future,” said Slaughter, the only microbiologist in Congress. “It is through the work being done at these colleges that we will improve public health and train the nurses, caregivers and scientists of the future. I’m pleased to help them gain the resources they need from the federal government to continue their important work.”

Attended by approximately 40 faculty from health science programs, such as nursing and pharmacy, the webinar provided a program introduction and application instructions. The webinar was interactive; faculty had an opportunity to ask NIH questions about the program and how it related to their work from web enabled classrooms at both colleges.

Congresswoman Slaughter kicked off the event by phone from her office in Washington, DC. In addressing the faculty she spoke of her early career in public health and the challenges of juggling teaching and research. The Congresswoman stressed the importance of the research that the AREA program will make possible.

“This was a great opportunity for our faculty who are so passionate about the research they do, especially during a time when funding is tight,” said Dr. Donald Bain, President, St. John Fisher College. “The AREA program will enhance the vital work being done across many institutions, and we are certainly hoping to be a part of the program. Our thanks to Representative Slaughter for working so hard to meet the needs of our faculty.”

The National Institutes of Health’s Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Program aims to stimulate research in educational institutions that provide baccalaureate or advanced degrees for a significant number of the Nation's research scientists, but that have not been major recipients of NIH support. These AREA grants create opportunities for scientists and institutions otherwise unlikely to participate extensively in NIH programs, to contribute to the Nation's biomedical and behavioral research effort. AREA grants are intended to support small-scale, health-related research projects proposed by faculty members of eligible, domestic institutions.